June 2016 Issue

Thank your volunteers with a nomination

The Council’s silver anniversary is the perfect opportunity to single out the top people making an impact in your urban forestry community — give your local volunteers a pat on the back with a nomination to TUFC’s Urban Forestry Awards. Make it a priority to nominate at least one person this year. Categories include: Builder/Developer, Government Employee, Private Professional, Citizen Activist, Media, Green Industry, and Tree Board. Nomination form

TUFC got its start in 1991 when two dozen visionaries gathered on Valentine’s Day to create the statewide organization. History

Urban forestry conference is October 6-7 in Murfreesboro

TUFC's 2016 urban forestry conference focuses on hands-on urban forestry October 6–7 at the Rutherford County Extension Office in Murfreesboro.

Suggest topics, presenters

Tell us what you need to learn at the October conference. Please answer these five quick questions about topics and presenters.
Take the survey

Three residences named tree sanctuaries

Homeowners in three cities have registered their properties as a TUFC tree sanctuary. Walker Tree Sanctuary in Ripley has 36 trees, and Shawnee Waters Tree Sanctuary in Gallatin has more than 120. A new Memphis sanctuary is private.

Qualifications include a minimum of 10 identified species on privately owned property, which can remain closed except to family and friends or open on occasions for garden clubs and tree enthusiasts. Homeowners are required to sign a healthy yard pledge requiring no topping, using a certified arborist, and proper maintenance.

Participants receive an outdoor plaque, a certificate, and free membership in TUFC. MORE

TUFC arboreta add two, recertify two

The Mulch Company in Murfreesboro and Columbia State Community College, above, are new Level 1s. The company site includes 30 labeled trees and a pollinator garden. CSCC has 30 labeled trees on its 250-acre Maury County campus.

In addition, Riverdale Elementary in Germantown has been recertified as a Level 1, and Burchfiel Grove and Arboretum in Sevierville as been recertified as a Level 2.

Burchfiel Grove features more than 80 labeled species of trees and shrubs.

West chapter meets June 16

The next meeting of the West Tennessee chapter of TUFC is June 16 at 1 p.m. at Memphis Botanic Garden. MORE

TAEP application deadline is July 1; riparian option added

Application deadline for the Division of Forestry's tree-planting grants is July 1.

The Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program offers grants for tree planting projects to cities and towns, nonprofits, and institutions of higher learning. TAEP is a 50/50 cash matching grant program for planting on public property and covers half the cost of tree cost and shipping, contracted planting, mulch and gator bags, tree labels, and acknowledgment sign.

New this year is allowing tree planting in riparian areas, characterized as a 35-foot zone extending outward from the edge of a river, stream, or creek bank. Riparian tree planting is allowed on private property, but grants are not available to individual landowners.

Link Kroger Plus card to TUFC

Help TUFC protect our urban forests by shopping. You'll earn rewards for TUFC every time you use your Kroger Plus shopper's card. Get a card or link your current card to Tennessee Urban Forestry Council NPO#84450 by setting up a digital account here.

Buy at Amazon, help TUFC

When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection, and convenience, and Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to TUFC. You can even set your Amazon account to open in Smile mode. Shop